Cunard Adds Over 150 Voyages for 2023 Season

Luxury cruise brand Cunard has unveiled over 150 new international voyages, sailing on its three ships between Apr. 23 and Dec. 15, 2023.

According to a press release, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria, will call at 120 ports in 35 countries, with 23 late evening departures and 15 overnight stays with voyages between two nights and 37 nights in duration. The Queen Mary 2 will sail a program of 18 Transatlantic Crossings, with departures from both Southampton and New York.

Some of the highlights are a Mediterranean fly-cruise season from Barcelona, a series of 10-night roundtrips in Alaska, an Independence Day sailing calling in Boston, a 16-night Baltics voyage with an overnight call in St Petersburg and a 14-night Canada and New England voyage offering three full days in Quebec.

“We’re thrilled to launch such an exciting programme of new itineraries, giving the opportunity to those new to Cunard – or new to cruising in general – the chance to visit the places they’ve always dreamed of, escape, unwind and feel special,” said Carnival UK President, Sture Myrmell. “From famous city destinations to breathtaking natural wonders, the Cunard 2023 New Voyages offer the perfect way to rediscover the joy of exploration while enjoying our signature White Star Service and all the other special touches that set a Cunard cruise apart from the rest.”

Key itineraries of The World Awaits 2023 program include:

The Canary Islands: The volcanic terrain of Tenerife’s Teide National Park and Sintra’s Moorish palaces (tours from Lisbon) are the UNESCO World Heritage sites that will be visited on this 12-night voyage of Spain and Portugal. Queen Victoria departs Southampton on Apr. 27, 2023. Inside staterooms start from 1,299 British pounds per person.

North Cape Discovery: North Cape Discovery presents “a land of forest and water, where ancient wooden houses decorate the streets, waterfalls spill from verdant gullies, and soaring mountains reflect in mirror-like fjords,” according to the press release. Queen Victoria departs Southampton on June 6, 2023. Inside staterooms start from 1,699 British pounds per person.

Transatlantic Crossing, New England and Canada: This roundtrip itinerary from/to Southampton will take guests to New York via Transatlantic Crossing, before embarking on an exploration of New England and Canada that includes three days in Quebec. The Queen Mary 2 departs Southampton on Sept. 22, 2023. Inside staterooms start from 3,299 British pounds per person.

Mediterranean Highlights: Pisa’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed leaning tower, the Sistine Chapel in Rome, and Gaudi’s architectural legacy, the Sagrada Familia, are all part of this 14-night voyage sailing from Southampton. The Queen Mary 2 departs Southampton on June 9, 2023. Inside staterooms start from 1,999 British pounds per person.

Alaska: Guests will see the colourful totem poles in Ketchikan and Alaska’s tall glaciers and icy fjords, as well as looking for humpback whales. Queen Elizabeth departs Vancouver on June 8, 2023. Inside staterooms start from 1,499 British pounds per person.

Western Mediterranean: This seven-night Mediterranean voyage from Barcelona features the French Riviera, Pisa’s UNESCO-listed leaning tower and Ibiza’s old town, Dalt Vila. Queen Elizabeth departs Barcelona on Sept. 25, 2023. Inside staterooms start from 899 British pounds per person.

The World Awaits 2023 New Voyages are available to book for past guests on Feb. 1 and are on general sale from Feb. 2, 2022.

Queen Mary 2 Takes Center Stage in HBO Max Film Let Them All Talk

The Queen Mary 2 is among the stars of the new film  “Let Them All Talk,” directed by the award-winning Steven Soderbergh, streaming on HBO Max.

As Meryl Streep’s character, Alice, steps out of the taxi upon arriving at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, she gazes in awe at Cunard’s Queen Mary 2. This is one of the opening scenes of the new film, according to a press release as Streep’s character is sailing aboard the Cunard ship as a special guest of the voyage’s enrichment program, Cunard Insights.

The three-time Academy Award winner Streep is joined by fellow acting royalty, two-time Academy Award winner Dianne Wiest, and five-time Emmy Award®winner Candice Bergen. Supported by Academy Award nominee Lucas Hedges and actress Gemma Chan, the film is set aboard the storied Transatlantic Crossing, amidst the backdrop of the ship.

In fact, the majority of the film was shot on board in some of the vessel’s spaces: the Art Deco Commodore Club, the Queens Grill suites and dining room, the Royal Court Theatre, and the 9,000 volume library, among others. 

As the film was captured aboard a live voyage, many onboard guests had a chance to grab their moment in the spotlight when they were cast as extras in the film.

“We were absolutely delighted when Steven Soderbergh approached us to film his next feature onboard Queen Mary 2,” said Simon Palethorpe, President, Cunard. “While Cunard and our flagship are accustomed to hosting luminaries from all over the globe, it was quite something to welcome Steven, Meryl, Dianne, Candice, Lucas, and Gemma for this very special and unique opportunity. We are very excited about the film, its witty and engaging story, and how lovingly Steven captured the essence of our flagship and the Transatlantic Crossing experience.”

Commenting on his experience aboard Queen Mary 2, Soderbergh said: “Color me well impressed. I have never seen an enterprise on this scale of complexity run so beautifully. Every Cunard staff member we interacted with was committed to providing the best possible experience for their guests, which in this case included our cast and crew. And I can confirm without question that as stunning as Queen Mary 2 looks on camera, she’s even more stunning to the naked eye.”

Cunard puts 2022 world cruise on sale

Queen Mary 2 Cruise Ship

Cunard has confirmed plans for a 2022 world cruise by flagship Queen Mary 2.

The 104-night voyage departs from Southampton on January 10 and returns on April 24, 2022.

Calls to Greece, Dubai, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Australia, Bali, Abu Dhabi, Oman, Italy and Portugal are planned with sailings through the Suez Canal on both the outbound and return legs.

Overnight stops in Haifa, Dubai, Hong Kong, Sydney and Singapore are included plus a late-night departure from Colombo.

The voyage has gone on sale today despite all ocean cruises currently being cancelled due to government travel restrictions imposed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Prices for an inside cabin start at £11,499 per person.

Cunard president Simon Palethorpe said: “Our guests have told us they want memorable destinations which combine intrinsic glamour and heritage.

“This unique programme spans 16 countries, offering a combined 33 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which we hope will combine the perfect blend of exploration onshore and relaxation on board.”

Palethorpe added: “This 104-night voyage can be split into six sectors and booked individually, which is tailored to those who want to fully immerse themselves in the Cunard experience for just a portion of the journey.

“It truly is the ultimate exploration of east meets west experienced from the magnificent setting of the world’s only ocean liner, the Queen Mary 2.

“Guests on board will be able to take advantage of a multitude of luxurious offerings whether they want to be entertained, learn something new, get active or simply relax, while the ambience throughout the ship is warm, friendly and inclusive.”

Those sailing the full World Voyage will enjoy a welcome onboard reception, services of a World Voyage Concierge and use of a private lounge, a gala event ashore and complimentary daily gratuities.